East West Railway Company
Executive Assistant - Chief Executive's Office
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East West Rail
East West Rail is an infrastructure programme linking communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The area is currently let down by a lack of transport choices, and we have a once in a generation opportunity to fix that, improving prosperity for people and places along the way.
East West Railway Company (that's us) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee the delivery of East West Rail from construction through to wheels in motion, making sure the railway comes together in the right way.
At East West Railway Company, we're committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple: to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications of all backgrounds and experiences.
Role Summary
As an Executive Assistant - you will be working at the heart of the Chief Executive's Office, providing calm, coordinated support to our Executive team so they can focus on what matters most. Alongside your fellow assistants, you'll help ensure cover is always consistent, whatever the day throws up. You'll also be a familiar and welcoming presence in the office, helping keep things running smoothly for everyone who works there or visits.
Function
The Chief Executive's Office sits at the centre of EWR Co, working across the organisation to help deliver our strategic priorities and supporting the Chief Executive, Executive and Board. Our Chief Executive is the public face of the company and the main point of contact with our client, the Department for Transport, so you'll be helping to keep that vital relationship running smoothly behind the scenes.
Key Responsibilities
Day to day, you will:
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- Manage busy inboxes and diaries for the Leadership Team, offering wider admin support to their teams when needed.
- Organise and attend meetings, capturing clear notes and actions.
- Help the Executive stay ahead of deadlines and preparation, with tailored support for each individual.
- Book meeting rooms, transport and accommodation, and organise venues, events and conferences.
- Handle telephone, email and in-person requests with warmth and professionalism, giving everyone a first class experience.
- Build strong working relationships with staff, suppliers and clients.
- Produce documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations.
- Be the welcoming face of the EWR office, greeting visitors and supporting the facilities team with day-to-day tasks such as restocking consumables, post distribution and ad hoc requests.
- Coordinate the distribution of PPE in line with requests from the Health and Safety Team.
- Take ownership of your own and others' health and safety, following EWR Co's Health and Safety principles.
- Keep cost-consciousness front of mind, respecting that this is tax payers' money.
- Bring a spirit of innovation, looking for creative solutions to challenges as they arise.
- Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision and behaviours, bringing our Ways of Working to life and encouraging others to do the same.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Criteria
You will bring:
- A background in providing administrative or personal assistant support, ideally within a fast-paced environment.
- Confidence managing busy diaries and inboxes across multiple stakeholders.
- Skill in organising meetings, travel, accommodation and events.
- The ability to produce clear documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with a knack for building relationships across all levels of the organisation.
- A well organised, accurate and detail oriented approach, with the ability to prioritise a varied workload.
- Discretion and a confidential approach to sensitive information.
- A collaborative, team-oriented mindset, able to work effectively with colleagues at all levels.
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Desirable Criteria
It would also be great if you have:
- A relevant business administration qualification, or equivalent experience.
- Familiarity with supporting Executive or Board-level stakeholders.
- A background in a similar large-scale infrastructure, construction, or major programme environment.
Benefits
- Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
- Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
- 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
- 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
- Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
- Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
- Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
- Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
- Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
- Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Diversity and Inclusion
At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and experiences.
If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.
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